I work in the medical field as an emergency medical technician,. As you might have guessed my transgender issue might cause problems with patient comfort (certain situations a patient has a right to know certain items of imformation) any help on continuing my career as a woman would be helpful.

I dont' see why you should have to out yourself to every patient and I don't see why you should have to not be allowed into a job just because someone may read you and refuse treatment, difficulties may arrise but that's one thing i'm sure all of us are used to by now.

MG, if it is an issue, it is an issue in almost every job.  Believe me, if someone is uncomfortable with it, they will do their best to make you uncomfortable.

However, you just never know.  I've seen some pretty amazing situations in my life where people have been almost uterly and totally accepted.

You do what you gotta do child.

Chin up

Cindi

Quote from: morning_glory on January 11, 2007, 04:51:22 PM
I work in the medical field as an emergency medical technician,. As you might have guessed my transgender issue might cause problems with patient comfort (certain situations a patient has a right to know certain items of imformation) any help on continuing my career as a woman would be helpful.

Hmm I'm not really that clued in on the medical situations so what type of information a patient has a right to know other than you are a qualified emergency medical technician, and in what situations it would be proper for you to volunteer this information.

To me your private life has nothing to do with patient comfort.  I am not so naive as to think there are no bigots out there who only want a certain type of person to treat them but still once you have saved their life you would think they would change there minds.

Besides when they come into emergency do they have the time to ask those questions.  As I said I'm not that well versed in the medical field but surely hospitals should have protections for their staff when it comes to issues such as this.

Steph

  I worked as a first response medic for five years and an EMT for three years prior to transitioning...I don't really understand what you mean about "certain situations a patient has a right to know certain items of information".  Your personal information isn't relevant at all to the patient.  You are there to care for them and your gender presentation isn't, nor should be, a factor.  If for whatever reason the patient has issues with you treating them then simply hand them the "refusal of treatment" form and smile while they sign it. 

Quote from: Cindi Jones on January 11, 2007, 10:57:30 PM
However, you just never know.  I've seen some pretty amazing situations in my life where people have been almost uterly and totally accepted.

I can personally vouch for that.  I make no effort to avoid any social situation and in fact, just tonight I stayed out partying with a bunch of people from work (most of whom saw me prior to transition).  I think that you will be treated by the way people interpret your signals about how you want to be treated.  In other words, if you come across as a perfectly normal female, there should be no reason for any discomfort to you.  The corollary to that is if you do show discomfort, you may not come across as a normal female.

Melissa

I was under the impression that patients have a right to know about thier health care providers, I guess I have been asked some pretty wierd questions before this, and have always felt a responsibility to answer them as best as I could

Quote from: morning_glory on January 12, 2007, 02:08:21 AM
I was under the impression that patients have a right to know about thier health care providers, I guess I have been asked some pretty wierd questions before this, and have always felt a responsibility to answer them as best as I could

Its non of there business, I have worked in the same hospital now for about 12 years (floor nurse and ER nurse) the last 5 as a woman, once I transitioned at work which was relatively uneventful patient care did not change and non of my patients have ever noticed anything. In your situation it would be even less you only see your patients 10 - 15 minutes and thats it most of the time you never see them again (except your repeat offenders) LOL hope this helps.

Just because you have access to their medical history doesn't mean they need to know yours.

Melissa

your sharing about working in a hospital, is quite encouraging, thank you so much for all the support and advice, I have a problem though, one of my coworkers found out and told my ambulance director, who in turn said that if I ever came out at work, I would have to be reviewed at the county board meeting (we're a county agency), and that he wished that it wern't that way, but that it was the law, and he couldn't do any thing about it, what do I do, isn't it illegal to have to present such things before the entire county?

I work in a hospital and we have a resident that is transitioning i do not know her and would fear any type of approach myself personally to her but she is passable and accepted by all it seems?
I personally have seen some crude and "butt ugly" doctors in the hallways and stuff and if a grossly obese or ugly person working as a healthcare professional is not an issue with a patient in need of care i would suspect you would not have as many worries as you may think?
I do not know just some thoughts from me!
Ricki

  First of all....working for a county agency does have it's pain in the @ss rules I know.  The laws for discussing county business mean that often personal issues are brought up in public meeting.  The rules for county business are complicated and, honestly, so confusing that even the people conducting these meetings have no idea if they are doing so legally.  If you are being harassed or threatened because of your sexuality, gender identity or anything of the like I would HIGHLY recommend contacting an organization such as "Lamda Legal" for legal advice and potential representation. 

  I personally think your boss has no idea what the law is and is talking out of his @ss.  It's a shame that employers don't take the time to learn the facts before they start making comments or decisions based on hearsay and speculation.  Don't let some jerk noodle group of political wannabe's step on your rights.....talk to a legal representative and stand up for yourself (if you don't....nobody else will).

Quote from: morning_glory on January 12, 2007, 06:55:48 PM
your sharing about working in a hospital, is quite encouraging, thank you so much for all the support and advice, I have a problem though, one of my coworkers found out and told my ambulance director, who in turn said that if I ever came out at work, I would have to be reviewed at the county board meeting (we're a county agency), and that he wished that it wern't that way, but that it was the law, and he couldn't do any thing about it, what do I do, isn't it illegal to have to present such things before the entire county?

I agree with BrandiOK I would ask them to show you the law, if its a law (and I know its not, some silly homophobic fear) then its written down somewhere have them produce the documents. Now if its a huge county then its not a issue, but if its some back woods mouth breathing redneck county then you might be black balled and there is no much you can do.

I recommend legal counsel.  You'll only need to pay for a couple of hours for some good advice.  If you are changing your name, you can do both at once.  But you need the legal advice.  It's just that simple.  Don't depend on us for this situation doll.

Cindi